Beads are digital gifts that can be given multiple times, creating a chain of messages connecting people to people.

The character of the Bead changes due to the character of the relation between two people exchanging the Bead on parting. Hence each Bead gets its own meaning.

A digital gift like Beads is not made to unwrap. The picture, sound or text message that is loaded to the Bead will reveal itself automatically. This depends on the activities of the one who owns the Bead at that moment in time. The moments of being together are marked because the Beads should be exchanged on parting.

Once revealed, the message is only stored in ones memory. The Bead can be exchanged with someone else, and the new message and other people change its character.

Beads evolved from an elaborate research into the Social Emotional Context of Young Professionals. The results of the qualitaive research lead to inisgth in what is and forms a Social Emotional COntext, empathy was gained with the users and inspirational starting points for concept development formulated.

The technology developed for Personal Networks and Personal Area Networks> makes it possible to realize the product. It was aimed for a meaningful experience in social interaction by the means of a an innovative ICT product.

June 2006 - January 2007